Sqaures, Angles, Math.....ARRGGGHHHH I'm stuck

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Okay I admit I am extremely math challenged. All these angles, triangles, squares.......all this geometry and math has completely blown what few math smart cells I have. I learn by watching, and couldn't get rotary cutting and all the awesome rulers until an instructor, with much patience, taught me how. Anyway I have signed up for a basic machine quilting primer and I have to have 7-14inch square sandwiches of muslin and batting for the class. My biggest ruler is a 12 inch square, and I swear I cannot figure out how to work these rulers to cut a 14 inch?????? Help? I know there must e some magically easy way to do this. Is their a picture or a video to watch???

Kathy Place the edge of your fabric at the 0 on your cutting mat and use the 14 inch line to lay your ruler against and then cut on that line. I dont usually use the lines on the cutting my to measure but it will work.

Sukochi

Another suggestion KathyAnn, is to get a 24 inch ruler, or even an 18 inch ruler will work. I find I use my 24 inch ruler is used the most. It is good for cutting strips the width of fabric. It will come to you . Sometimes you just plain get a "brain fart" and nothing seems right until you just walk away and come back to it later. Good luck! Ginny

I have the same mathematically challenged brain. It is so difficult for me to even figure out what formula I need for what. Luckily I get a lot of help from everyone here. The quilters on this site are soooo helpful and generous with their help and information.

Thank you all for the response to my question. I will use my mat for now.......never crossed my mind till Nana mentioned it. Like I said brain takes a vacation when math is mentioned. LOL I was browsing around tonight and actually found a 20" and a 15" square creative grids ruler, but they are a bit pricey so will add them to the wish list.

I have a 12" square ruler and a rectangular ruler (I think it's 8" x 24"). I use both rulers to get a larger square. Just align the 6" mark of the square ruler along the edge of the fabric (just like you would if you were cutting a 2" strip of fabric). Then I butt the other 8" rectangular ruler up to it. Voila! 6" + 8" measures 14" from the fabric's edge.

Or, if you don't have another ruler, you can probably fold the fabric, press well on the fold and then cut 7" from the fold. Then open the fabric and press open the crease.

Sukochi I had never heard that I use my mat a lot when I cut. Of course I use my rulers too. I'm still learning how to cut. So I can't give any help there. My quilting friend used to do most of my cutting for me.

Lots of great answers! Another option would be to lay another ruler along side the first ruler. So. for example, instead of a 12" ruler, you would have a 12" ruler plus a 6" ruler(or whatever size the 2nd ruler is) = 18".